Improvement in photographic screens or reflectors



C. E. MYERS.

Photographic Screens or Reflectors.

Patented May 12,1874.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES E. MYERS, OF HORNELLSVILLE, NEWV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHIC SCREENS OR REFLECTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 150,70 l, dated May 1'2, 1874; application filed February 9, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GnAuLEs E. MYERs, of Hornellsville, in the county of Steuben and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Photographic Screens or Reflectors, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a block in spherical form, constituting a universal joint, the parts of which are shown in perspective by Figs. 2 and 3.

This joint may be conveniently formed of two pieces of wood or other suitable material, one piece of which is about three inches square and two inches thick, the other piece being about three inches square and one inch thick, united by the screw 0 passing through the center of the thinner piece, and being embedded in the center of the thicker piece, the Whole forming a three-inch cube, which may be afterward shaped to a spherical form. The thicker part of this sphere has a hole, L, of suitable size bored into what would be the center of the sphere, and parallel with its flat side M. This hole L serves as a socket for the insertion of any upright rod upon which it revolves -preferably the upright shaft of the liead-rest now in common use by photographers, of which Fig. 4 is a representation, including I J K O. The thinner part of the sphere has a groove, 1), cut across its flat side N, nearly crossing its center, and through this groove passes the staff F, until stopped by its weighted handle H.

This staffF may be of any convenient length and diameter, preferably about three feet long and one-half inch thick; and the handle H should be of suitable weight to poise the staff when the screen, Fig. 5, is attached to the other end of theistafi', as shown.

Fig. 5 represents a screen, G, of muslin or other suitable material, about a yard square, stretched upon two crossed sticks, E E, after the manner of a boys four-cornered kite; and this screen is attached to the free end of the weighted stafl' by a screw passing throu h the intersection of the two crossed sticks E i, and embedded in the end of the stafi' F, which is flatted to receive the screw, leaving the screens surface parallel with the staff.

This apparatus is intended to facilitate the control of the light directed upon the subject while being photographed, and it is wielded by the handle H in any direction, so as to occupy any position, at will, by turning, twist ing, or sliding the shaft through the ball, the screen to remain firmly fixed in any such position when released, the intention being to reflect the light upon the object to be photographed, or to screen it from too direct light I do not claim the screen or reflector proper, as its use in various forms has long been known; but

I claim as my invention In combination with the weighted shaft H F, the universal joint described, composed of the parts A B O D L, when constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the manner specified and shown.

CHARLES E. MYERS.

Witnesses:

H. O. OROUTT, M. D. 1\L[ARY'B. MYERS. 

